It is said that all good things come to those who wait, but there are a few members of Killeevan Sarsfields who just might take a bit of convincing after another season of early promise ended with the club still in the Junior ranks.

Coming in to the 2009 season, Killeevan were regarded as probably the most consistent team in Junior football having finished in the league play-off positions for four consecutive years without earning the ultimate reward of promotion to the intermediate league.
This year, they failed to repeat that form and despite a bright start were never in contention for the league and failed to win a game in the championship.
With the commitment and sacrifice of those four years only ending in disappointment it was perhaps no surprise that the team found it difficult to sustain their effort in 2009.
However, despite falling short of their target this season, team captain, Colin Quigley, is confident that Sarsfields have not missed the boat and that they still have the ability to play at a higher level.
"Over the last number of years we have been there or thereabouts in the league, finishing in the top two for four seasons but didn't win the title, coming closest in 2007 when we lost to Eire Og after a replay.
"There is no doubt that we were one of the most consistent teams in Junior and felt that on our day we could beat anybody but it is very disappointing when you finish top of the league but don't get promotion," explained Colin.
It is not surprising that when the 2009 season started, hopes were high in the club that this would be there year, but unfortunately it didn't work out that way.
"It is hard to know where it went wrong for us this year but we just couldn't get to the same level and effectively our season was over by July which is very early for us. We weren't helped by the fact that we had a few injuries to key players and it is difficult for a small club to replace them.
"Overall it was very disappointing and probably the worst year we have had since I got into the senior team, but I suppose it is hard to keep going at a high level when you have suffered so many disappointments.
"Every year you think this is going to be our year, but it is hard to get back when you miss out on the big prize. The last few seasons have ended in November and even December and then you are back in training by January so it can be difficult to keep that going.
"Naturally players have a life outside football and it is hard to keep asking them to make the sacrifice of training twice a week and sitting in on a Saturday when there is not silverware at the end of it. I think if we had got a bit of success, it would have been easier for the players to give another big effort," explained the captain.
As a result of their exertions in previous years, the squad were hoping to pace themselves this year by starting slower before building themselves up to peak for the crucial part of the season.
"There was a feeling that with the season extending to ten months, it would be better to start a bit slower and hopefully be fresh for the big games. However, it didn't work our according to plan as we lost a few games in the last ten or 15 minutes and perhaps we were not as fit as we should have been at that stage.
"The real turning point came when we lost to Killanny in the championship and I thought after that game that our heads dropped a bit and we didn't manage to lift ourselves for the remainder of the season."
Despite the ultimate disappointment, the early part of the season suggested that Killeevan would once again be the team to beat in Junior football as they made a very impressive start to the campaign.
The year began with victory away to Toome before Sarsfields accounted for Oram and Blackhill to make it three wins out of three. The first big test came against a Sean McDermotts side who had come down from the IFL and when Killeevan scored a 2-8 to 0-12 win at home, the prospects for the year were very encouraging.
However, just when the team appeared to be getting into their rhythm, their form deserted them and with only one win in the next six league games, Quigley's side found themselves struggling to stay in contention.
Unfortunately that slump in form coincided with the Junior Championship and Killeevan failed to do themselves justice in that competition, as Colin points out.
"The game against Killanny was very disappointing as we just didn't get going. We were a bit hampered by injuries as Shane Corr had to go off after ten minutes and I went off at half-time. Perhaps we did take Killanny for granted a bit and they caught us on the hop.
"That defeat really set up back and when it came to the back-door against Clones it was hard to lift it and that game didn't go well for us. As a result our season was really over by July, which was unusual."
Despite this year's failures, the prospect of a new season on the horizon always brings a new sense of optimism and Colin believes that this team can make the breakthrough, but knows that will have to be sooner rather than later.
"There is no doubt that at Killeevan we have a very good pool of players. Apart from the more senior lads, there is a very good group between 21 and 25 years. I think if we can keep everyone fit then we have to target a top four finish as a minimum for next year, and make a big push for the championship.
"I am 28 and there are a few lads around the same age so the reality is that we have to do it sooner rather than later. We are fed up being the bridesmaids every year and it is time to make one more big push and get out of Junior football whatever way we can."
Colin believes that not only would promotion be a reward for the efforts of the past few years, but also help develop the young players in the club.
"It would be great to get up and have a go at playing a higher level because I don't think there is a big gap between the top junior teams and those in the lower half of Division 2. Playing at a higher grade would be of great benefit to the young lads coming through as it would help improve their game and overall it would be great for the club."
After all the disappointments of the 2009 season, there is no doubt that Killeevan will once again be among the favourites in 2010 and Colin is hoping that they finally make the breakthrough and enjoy their long awaited day in the sun. Tweet

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